Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Grand Junction, CO: $25.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Grand Junction, CO runs $25.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,742 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Grand Junction's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.5, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.56 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,644 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median hourly rate for an elementary school teacher in Grand Junction, Colorado, is projected to be $25.36. This rate compares unfavorably to the national median hourly rate of $31.06, highlighting a significant gap in compensation for educators in this region. For part-time and per-diem teachers engaged in various educational settings—such as K-12 classrooms, special education environments, and after-school tutoring programs—the hourly pay structure offers different earning opportunities. Those entering this profession may see a starting hourly rate around $24.24, while top earners can achieve up to $39.53. Given these statistics, aspiring educators in Grand Junction can anticipate a competitive yet challenging financial landscape, supported by data sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, projected from 2025 figures.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.24 | $193.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.36 | $202.85 |
| Median (P50) | $25.36 | $202.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.18 | $249.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.53 | $316.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Grand Junction
Based on $25.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.36/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Grand Junction, CO can expect to earn approximately $52,741 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,427. With a cost-of-living index of 95.48 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Grand Junction.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Grand Junction
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,014.24 | $4,395 | $52,741 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $608.55 | $2,637 | $31,644 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $405.70 | $1,758 | $21,096 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Grand Junction) | $25.36 |
| Middle School Teacher (National Avg) | $32.16 |
| High School Teacher (National Avg) | $33.55 |
| Preschool Teacher (National Avg) | $18.53 |
| Special Education Teacher (National Avg) | $32.74 |
Elementary School Teachers in Grand Junction, CO earn a median of $52,742 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.35% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 15.80% below the Colorado state average of $62,639.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.36/hr = $31,644/year (purchasing power: $33,144).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,741/year (purchasing power: $55,240).
CoL index: 95.476 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.36/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Grand Junction (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.15/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.10/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.60/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Grand Junction grew 12.9% from $22.25/hr (2019) to $25.11/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.60/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem elementary school teachers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Junction metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 0.98% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Elementary School Teacher in Grand Junction
Looking at part-time employment, a 3-day workweek, typically totaling 24 hours, means an elementary school teacher in Grand Junction could earn approximately $25,000 annually. This income is considerably lower than what a full-time teacher would earn, underlining the financial sacrifices part-time roles often entail. Per diem elementary school teacher pay in Grand Junction can vary widely, with substitute teachers generally earning $100 to $200 per day and long-term substitutes receiving between $140 and $250 daily. Additionally, private tutoring opportunities can significantly enhance income; educators might command between $30 and $80 per hour on platforms like Wyzant. The range of hourly rates is influenced by employer types, spanning K-12 public schools, charter networks, and private institutions. While some educators choose positions offering stable pay and benefits, they may sacrifice potential income from higher-paying options without such advantages. By strategically negotiating based on local market conditions and understanding the trade-offs involved, teachers can position themselves effectively within the compensation structures prevalent in Grand Junction.
More salary data for Grand Junction, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, M.Ed.
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in elementary education. They focus on curriculum development and teaching methodologies. Their experience includes working in public schools.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for elementary school teachers in Grand Junction. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.98%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for elementary school teachers (SOC 25-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, M.Ed., a licensed elementary school teacher with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov